ZooKeepers Hang On In Extras

The Asheboro ZooKeepers made the journey to Holly Springs to face the Salamanders.

The two teams faced off earlier in the week with the ZooKeepers run ruling the Salamanders 15-5.

Earlier in the year however the ZooKeepers went to Holly Springs and gave up six runs in the first inning on route to a loss.

Nic Schutte would be on the mound for the ZooKeepers facing Peyton Fosher

The Game

The game started off slowly for the ZooKeepers not being able to msuter any runs in the first few innings.

On the contrary the Salamanders got off to a hot start scoring two runs within the first two innings.

In the first, Salamanders catcher Nolan Wilson hit a single into center field to give the salamanders an early lead.

In the third the ZooKeepers finally got on the board when Sal Laimo scored on a passed ball by Fosher.

The defensive struggles continued for both sides with ZooKeepers left fielder Davis Germann dropped a fly ball giving the Salamanders yet another lead.

For the ZooKeepers, the bats struggled mightily throughout most of the game just getting two hits through seven innings.

Those two hits combined with the two on Friday night gave the ZooKeepers just four hits in their last 16 innings of work.

All hope was not lost as the bats woke up in the eighth for the ZooKeepers as they had the bases loaded with two outs.

One of the best hitters in the league, Hunter Atkins, stepped up to the plate and had a hero moment.

Atkins ripped a ball into the right center field gap for a bases clearing triple to put the ZooKeepers in front in the eighth.

All game the bats were cold but when it came time to make a play, they did.

Looking to close out the game was ZooKeepers pitcher Caleb Cockerham.

Cockerham pitched great but made an error trying to pick off a runner which in turn tied the game.

Extra Innings

The game would head into extras tied at four.

In the ZooKeepers half of the tenth they scored just one of the two “ghost runners” that start on base to begin extras.

The ZooKeepers could have had two runs come across but Laimo was called out for leaving third base earlier on a fly ball to center field.

ZooKeepers pitcher Danny Thompson came in for another inning and shut the game down.

Thompson struck out two of the three batters in dramatic fashion to slam the door shut and give the ZooKeepers the win.

Wrap Up

The ZooKeepers finish the first half of the season 12-11 and the records will reset after this game.

A huge road win gives the ZooKeepers a lot of momentum heading back to Asheboro to face the Macon Bacon.

First pitch on Sunday is set for 6:00pm at McCrary park and the ZooKeepers will be celebrating Faith Night.

Tickets can be bought online or at the box office.

Cant make it? You can watch live on Flo Sports.